Apparatus for molding concrete feed bunks



V. R. ANDERSON APPARATUS FOR MOLDING CONCRETE FEED BUNKS May 28, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 4, 1965 3 H 5 N me e r 0 NW w P. m r w W May 28, 1968 v. R. ANDERSON APPARATUS FOR MOLDING CONCRETE FEED BUNKS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 4, 1965 //v l/E/VTO/P WVDE/V P. ANDERSON 5 United States Patent 3,385,554 APPARATUS FOR MOLDING CONCRETE FEED BUNKS Vayden R. Anderson, Stromsburg, Nebr. 68666 Filed Jan. 4, 1965, Ser. No. 423,195 3 Claims. (Cl. 249-165) This invention relates to apparatus for molding feed bunks or the like.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for molding feed bunks or the like.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an improved concrete molding apparatus for molding feed bunks or the like where the time and effort required in casting the concrete article is materially reduced.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a feed bunk molding apparatus including but an inner, one piece form, a pair of end plate forms, and a support for lifting and transporting the apparatus, the support connected to the inner and end plate forms at a plurality of locations.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of a concrete article molding apparatus wherein an elongated support extends completely the entire length of the apparatus along the center of gravity thereof, when filled with concrete.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a concrete molding apparatus capable of accomplishing the above designated objects, and which is economical to manufacture, simple and rugged in construction, and effective in use.

These objects, and other features and advantages of this invention will be readily apparent upon reference to the following description, when taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of this invention when empty;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, transverse sectional view taken along the line 22 in FIG. 1, and showing the apparatus when in use;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, longitudinal sectional view as taken along the line 33 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, perspective view of an end of the inner form of the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a greatly enlarged perspective sectional view of a detail of the FIG. 1 structure;

FIG. 6 is an end elevational view, showing the apparatus in a raised position prior to inversion;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 2, and showing a modification;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a finished feed bunk; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view as taken along the line 99 in FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the concrete molding apparatus is indicated generally at 10 in FIG. 1. The apparatus 10 comprises an elongated, preformed inner form 11, a pair of identical end plate units 12 and 13, and an elongated central support member 14 (see FIG. 3). In use, the inner form 11 forms all the bottom and side exposed surfaces of the concrete article being formed, and the end plate units 12 and 13 are adapted to form all exposed end surfaces thereof.

More particularly, the inner form 11 is a single piece of continuous sheet metal or similar material, preformed to have a relatively fiat and straight base section 16, normally horizontally disposed. From each outer edge of the base section, a pair of straight walls 17 and 18 depend angularly away from each other in a diverging manner best illustrated in FIG. 3. It will be noted that wall 17 is longer than wall 18 and extends to the lower edge of an end plate unit. From the lower edges of the walls 17 and 18, a pair of straight side sections 19 and 21 extend upwardly in a parallel, normally vertically disposed manner with their upper edges even.

The inner form 11 inner and upper surfaces for receiving the concrete is of a smooth nature, with the jointsso to speak-smoothly rounded as clearly shown in FIG. 2. This provides for the upper and side surfaces of the cast article having a finished texture for concrete work. To reinforce the form 11, a pair of angle irons 22 (FIGS. 2 and 4) are secured to the upper edges of the side sections 19 and 21, and a plurality of angle irons 23 are secured in longitudinally spaced relation to the outer surfaces of the side sections 19 and 21.

At each end of the inner form 11, a trio of angle iron portions 24, 26 and 27 (FIG. 4) are secured with their vertically disposed legs flush with each other and in the same normally vertical plane. A plurality of pins 28 are secured to the portions 24, 26, 27, and which pins extend horizontally outward beyond the ends of the form 11. A pair of angle irons 25 (FIG. 4) are also attached to the end edges of the inner form side sections for reinforcement purposes, and also are provided with a plurality of outwardly protruding pins 28.

As each end plate unit 12 and 13 is identical, only one will be described with like parts having like reference numbers. The end plate unit 12 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 9) for example, includes a flat, right angular plate 29 having a plurality of holes 31 formed therein of a size and placed to receive all the pins 28. Reinforcing angle iron frame pieces 32, 33, 34, and 35 are secured to the outer four edges of the plate 29. A stub shaft 36 extends through the plate 29 at a point therein which is on the exact center of gravity when the apparatus 10 is completely assembled and in use.

The stub shaft 36 is shown extended inwardly of the plate 29 (FIG. 7) and connected to the plate 29 by a brace 37, which arrangement is optional. The stub shaft 36 does preferably extend outwardly of the plate 29 (see FIG. 7 and also FIG. 1), and is supported by an external brace 38. Extended through the stub shaft 36 on each plate 29 is the central support member 14, which therefore is extended along the center of gravity of the apparatus 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the support member 14 is straight and tubular, and the ends of which extend beyond the plates 29. As the support member 14 supports the end plate units 12 and 13 by its connection with the stub shafts 36, it supports the inner form 11 intermediate the end plate units by being secured, as by welding or the like, to a plurality of gusset-type plates 39 (FIGS. 2 and 3) secured themselves as by welding to the inner form 11 transversely across the interior base section 16 and walls 17 and 18 thereof. By this arrangement, the central support member 14 not only supports the inner form and end plates as a unit at the end plates, but also and im portantly provides interior support. There is no tendency, thus, of the inner form 11 to sag or bend when suspended at the end plate ends.

Use of the apparatus 10 is as follows. Each end plate unit 12 and 13 is placed against an end of the inner form 11 with the pins 28 protruding through the respective holes 31, whereby the end plates 29 are squared with the inner form ends. The end plate units 12 and 13 are then secured to the inner form 11 by a wedge 40 (FIG. 5) being inserted through an opening 41 provided therefor in each pin 28.

The assembled inner form 11 and end plate units 12 and 13 are then placed as illustrated in FIG. 1 on a pair of level supports 42 and 43, whereby the entire structure is horizontally level. The inner surfaces of the form 11 and end plates 29 are then wiped with a special oil or other concrete form fluid. At this point, a reinforcing mesh screen 44 of a shape complementary to the form 11, is placed therein as best illustrated in FIG. 3. A plurality of spacer bars 46 are then secured across the top edges of the form 11, being secured to the angle irons 22. Concrete 47 is then poured into the cavity formed by the inner form 11 and the side plates 29, until the concrete reaches the tops of the angle irons 22, whereat the actual bottom of the article is formed by a floating process.

After the concrete has cured to the specifications of the operator, 2. hoist is connected to the apparatus to lift same. The hoist may include, for each end of the apparatus, a lifting cable 48, a ring 49 connected thereto, and a collar 51 secured within the ring 49. The collars 51 have an inner diameter to enable their slipping over the exposed ends 52 and 53 of the support member 14, and are retained there by a lock pin 54 inserted through a hole 56 formed in each end 52 and 53.

The hoist is then operated to pick up the apparatus and to move same to a location to release the completed article, in this case a feed bunk 57 (FIG. 8). At the location of release, or before depending upon the operator, the entire apparatus 10 is inverted 180, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 6, so as to locate the feed bunk 57 right side up. This inversion is readily and easily accomplished merely by hand pressure on the apparatus 10 due to the central support member 14 being located on the center of gravity of the filled apparatus 10.

When the apparatus 10 is lowered, it is preferred that the end plate units undersurfaces again engage substantially horizontal surfaces, and that the space therebetween be free and clear of obstacles so that the spacer bars 46 are free and clear. After having been lowered and the hoist mechanism removed, the spacer bars 46 are removed, the wedges 40 are backed out, and the end plate units 12 and 13 are pulled off. After possibly some tapping of the form 11 to separate the feed bunk 57 therefrom, and subsequent to a reassembly of the hoist mechanism onto the ends 52 and 53 of the support member 14, the inner form 11 is lifted off and away from the now right-side-up feed bunk 57. After re-inversion, the inner form 11 is again ready for another use.

For certain purposes, it may be desirable to use a still longer shaft 58 (FIG. 7) for rotating the apparatus 10, which is inserted through the support member 14, necessarily tubular for this purpose. Here, the collars 51 would fit over the shaft ends, only one 61 shown, and be secured thereto by the pins 54 being inserted in holes 62 in the ends 59 and 61. The shaft 58 would readily rotate within the support member 14, the latter acting as a bushing.

Although a preferred embodiment and one modification of this invention has been described herein, alterations and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for molding concrete feed bunks or similar articles comprising in combination:

a unitary elongated inner form section adapted to form all bottom and side surfaces of the cast article;

at least one flange section secured to each end of said inner form section and including a plurality of pins extended outwardly and beyond the ends of said inner form section; end form means adapted to form all end surfaces of the cast article, and including a pair of plates having a plurality of apertures formed therein, each plate placeable against one end of said inner form section with the pins protruding through the apertures;

means connected to said pins for releasably securing said plates to said inner form section; and

support means including at least one interior support element secured to said inner form section transversely across the inner base thereof and an elongated shaft extended completely through said inner form section for supporting same intermediate the ends thereof, said element and said shaft extended also through and supporting said end form means.

2. Apparatus for molding concrete feed bunks or similar articles comprising in combination:

an elongated form section of a single piece having an intermediate, substantially straight, normally horizontally disposed portion, a pair of portions depending downwardly from opposite outer edges of said intermediate portion, and diverging relative to each other, and a pair of side portions extended upwardly in a parallel manner from the lower edges of said depending portions;

a plurality of pins extended longitudinally outward from each end of said form section;

a pair of end plates each having a plurality of apertures formed therein adapted to receive the pins at one of said ends;

means attachable to said pins for securing said end plates to said form section ends; and

support means for said form section and said end plates including a plurality of gusset plates secured in longitudinally spaced relation transversely across said intermediate portion on the underside thereof, said gusset plates and said end plates each having an opening formed therein, and said openings longitudinally aligned, a collar device secured to each end plate and longitudinally aligned with said openings, and a shaft extended through all of said openings and said collars, the outer ends of said shaft extended beyond said collars.

3. Apparatus for molding concrete feed bunks or similar articles comprising in combination:

a unitary elongated inner form section adapted to form all bottom and side surfaces of the cast article;

at least one flange section secured to each end of said inner form section and including a plurality of pins extended outwardly and beyond the ends of said inner form section;

end form means adapted to form all end surfaces of the cast article, and including a pair of plates having a plurality of apertures formed therein, each plate placeable against one end of said inner form section with the pins protruding through the apertures;

means connected to said pins for releasably securing said plates to said inner form section;

support means including an elongated tubular shaft extended completely through said inner form section for supporting same intermediate the ends thereof, said shaft extended also through and supporting said end form means; and

a rod slidably extended through said shaft, the ends of said rod exposed beyond each end of said shaft.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,330,735 2/1920 Chambley 249-144 969,232 9/1910 Winterfield 249- X 1,530,447 3/1925 Weathers 249-168 X 1,984,564 12/1934 Blackman 249165 X 2,628,403 2/1953 Garrison 249168 X I. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner.

E. MAR, Assistant Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR MOLDING CONCRETE FEED BUNKS OR SIMILAR ARTICLES COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: A UNITARY ELONGATED INNER FORM SECTION ADAPTED TO FORM ALL BOTTOM AND SIDE SURFACES OF THE CAST ARTICLE; AT LEAST ONE FLANGE SECTION SECURED TO EACH END OF SAID INNER FORM SECTION AND INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF PINS EXTENDED OUTWARDLY AND BEYOND THE ENDS OF SAID INNER FORM SECTION; END FORM MEANS ADAPTED TO FORM ALL END SURFACES OF THE CAST ARTICLE, AND INCLUDING A PAIR OF PLATES HAVING A PLURALITY OF APERTURES FORMED THEREIN, EACH PLATE PLACEABLE AGAINST ONE END OF SAID INNER FORM SECTION WITH THE PINS PROTRUDING THROUGH THE APERTURES; MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID PINS FOR RELEASABLY SECURING SAID PLATES TO SAID INNER FORM SECTION; AND SUPPORT MEANS INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE INTERIOR SUPPORT ELEMENT SECURED TO SAID INNER FORM SECTION TRANSVERSELY ACROSS THE INNER BASE THEREOF AND AN ELONGATED SHAFT EXTENDED COMPLETELY THROUGH SAID INNER FORM SECTION FOR SUPPORTING SAME INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS THEREOF, SAID ELEMENT AND SAID SHAFT EXTENDED ALSO THROUGH AND SUPPORTING SAID END FORM MEANS. 